Originally by Ranker TVList RulesVote up the most quintessential TV shows that aired between 1950 and 1959.
List of the top TV shows of the 1950s, as ranked by television enthusiasts and fans. In the 1950s, television was still relatively new. People were only just beginning to add a television set to their furniture collection. At the time there were only a handful of channels, and a very limited program selection. Since there were less TV show options, more people were watching the same shows and experiencing the same cultural phenomenons at the same time.
The most memorable shows that came from the 50s were sitcoms like "I Love Lucy," "Leave it to Beaver," and "The Honeymooners." These programs still rerun on TV to this day, due to their timeless nature. However, many of the programs that aired in the 50s did not stand the test of time. Many of these shows included ideals and jokes that are no longer relevant today. Most of the top shows from the 50s were variety comedy programs, starring the top comedians of the day including Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle, and Red Skelton. Many of the top programs were also game shows.
What is your favorite 1950s show? This list features the highest rated, critically acclaimed, and fan favorite shows of the 50s.
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885200The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling, Robert McCordPremiered: 1959
Genres (Tv): Anthology, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction
The Twilight Zone is a 1959 American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. It is... more
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912284I Love Lucy
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazPremiered: 1951
Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Comedy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance,... more3
729162Looney Tunes
Mel Blanc, June ForayPremiered: 1930
Genres (Tv): Animation, Comedy
Looney Tunes is an American animated series of comedy short films produced by Warner Bros.... more4
762248Leave It to Beaver
Jerry Mathers, Hugh BeaumontPremiered: 1957
Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Comedy
Leave It to Beaver is an American television situation comedy about an inquisitive and often... more5
555163Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock, Harry TylerPremiered: 1955
Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Anthology, Anthology series, Drama, Horror Film
Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred... more6
449115The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
Bill Scott, June ForayPremiered: 1959
Genres (Tv): Animation, Satire, Animated cartoon, Variety show, Children's television series
The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired... more7
615197The Honeymooners
Jackie Gleason, Art CarneyPremiered: 1955
Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Comedy
The Honeymooners is an American sitcom, based on a recurring 1951–55 sketch of the same name.... more8
462134The Ed Sullivan Show
Ed Sullivan, Bern BennettPremiered: 1948
Genres (Tv): Sketch comedy, Variety show, Comedy, Family Film, Reality television
The Ed Sullivan Show was an American TV variety show that ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948... more9
464124Adventures of Superman
George Reeves, Noel NeillPremiered: 1952
Genres (Tv): Action/Adventure, Police procedural, Drama, Children's television series, Adventure film
Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and... more10
443124Bonanza
Lorne Greene, Michael LandonPremiered: 1959
Genres (Tv): Western, Action/Adventure, Adventure film, Action
Bonanza is an NBC television western series that ran from September 12, 1959, to January 16,... more11
438115The Lone Ranger
Clayton Moore, Jay SilverheelsPremiered: 1949
Genres (Tv): Western
The Lone Ranger is an American western drama television series that aired on the ABC... more12
457121Tom and Jerry
Tom Kenny, Rick ZieffPremiered: 1940
Genres (Tv): Animation, Comedy, Family Film
Tom and Jerry is an American animated series of short films created in 1940, by William Hanna... more13
481138Perry Mason
Raymond Burr, Barbara HalePremiered: 1957
Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Drama, Legal drama, Legal
Perry Mason is an American legal drama series originally broadcast on CBS television from... more14
390115Lassie
June Lockhart, Andy ClydePremiered: 1954
Genres (Tv): Action/Adventure, Drama, Children's television series, Adventure film, Action
Lassie is an American television series that follows the adventures of a female Rough Collie... more15
468149Gunsmoke
James Arness, Milburn StonePremiered: 1955
Genres (Tv): Western, Action/Adventure
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman... more16
401139Dragnet
Jack Webb, Harry MorganPremiered: 1952
Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Police procedural, Drama
Dragnet is an American radio, television and motion picture series, enacting the cases of a... more17
34997The Red Skelton Show
Ginger Rogers, Red SkeltonPremiered: 1951
Genres (Tv): Variety show, Sketch, Comedy
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades,... more18
372106The Rifleman
Chuck Connors, Johnny CrawfordPremiered: 1958
Genres (Tv): Western, Action/Adventure
The Rifleman is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas... more19
421148Father Knows Best
Robert Young, Jane WyattPremiered: 1954
Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Comedy
Father Knows Best is an American radio and television comedy series which portrayed a middle... more20
324103American Bandstand
Dick ClarkPremiered: 1952
Genres (Tv): Music, Talk show, Variety show
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from... more21
36597The Yogi Bear Show
Daws Butler, Don MessickPremiered: 1961
Genres (Tv): Animation, Variety show, Children's television series, Comedy, Animated series
The Yogi Bear Show is an animated television series and the first incarnation produced by... more22
34496Maverick
Jack Kelly, James GarnerPremiered: 1957
Genres (Tv): Western, Action/Adventure, Comedy
Maverick is an American Western television series with comedic overtones created by Roy... more23
487160The Three Stooges
Moe Howard, Larry FinePremiered: 1930
Genres (Tv): Comedy
A handful of Three Stooges shorts first aired on television in 1949, on the American... more24
307107The Mickey Mouse Club
Jimmie Dodd, Tommy ColePremiered: 1955
Genres (Tv): Variety show, Children's television series, Sketch
The Mickey Mouse Club is an American variety television show that aired intermittently from... more25
280100Candid Camera
Suzanne Somers, Dom DeLuisePremiered: 1948
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Reality television
Candid Camera (ABC, 1948) is an American hidden camera reality television series created by... more
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